Sussex freehouse sold for first time in 27 years

The food-led Crab and Lobster freehouse in the West Sussex village of Sidlesham has been sold after spending 27 years with the same family.

The new owner is Nick Sutherland from nearby Chichester who operates three other pubs in the area.

The pub in Mill Lane has built up a reputation for its real ales and home-made food and its location on the edge of the Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve has made it popular with walkers.

The property dates back to 1660 and features two character bars with brick fireplaces and oak-beamed ceilings, two trade gardens and four-bedroom owners' accommodation /

One of the bars is made from part of an old fishing boat salvaged from the nearby mudflats 50 years ago.

The pub is also said to contain a more ethereal relic from the mudflats. It is believed to be haunted by the ghost of Royalist soldier Sir Robert Earnley, who died in the Crab and Lobster to die after he was mortally wounded on the mudflats by Cromwell's men.

The Winchester office of Christie + Co sold the freehold off an asking price of £500,000 on behalf of Brian Cross, who is retiring after 45 years in the licensed trade.

By Angela Frewin